ATHENS, Ga. — The LSU men’s basketball team, riding the high of important wins in the month of January at the Pete Maravich Center, now hopes to enjoy a little success away from home when it takes on Georgia here Wednesday night in a 6:30 p.m. CST contest at Stegeman Coliseum.
The game will not be televised, but the radio broadcast will be available on the LSU Sports Network (Eagle 98.1 FM in Baton Rouge) and online at www.LSUsports.net.
LSU is 11-6 overall and 4-2 in the Southeastern Conference Western Division after wins last week against Ole Miss (70-60) and No. 24 Mississippi State (69-62), LSU’s first win over a ranked team in close to a year. The Tigers have won five of their last six games with their two league losses coming at Alabama and at Kentucky.
Georgia is 7-10 overall and 1-6 in the SEC Eastern Division. The Bulldogs, after battling a weekend ice storm, finally got to Tuscaloosa one day late to face Alabama and the Crimson Tide won by a score of 75-47. Georgia does have an SEC win at home, defeating Vanderbilt, 68-59, in the Bulldog’ last home game.
“I think our team played well Saturday against Mississippi State,” said LSU Coach John Brady. “We have been able to hold opponents to around 65 points or so. Our game concerns me in Athens. They (Georgia) were able to beat Vanderbilt in Athens. I am sure they are glad about getting home. Our team needs to be ready to play. Our success on the road this year hasn’t been very good.
“I think we need to focus better and prepare better,” said Brady of the road. “Our mental preparation needs to be better. Last year we won three in a row on the road. This team needs to learn how to do it, and we have to figure out a way to get it done.”
The Tigers will be looking to stop a five-game SEC losing streak on the road dating back to last year. But this Tiger team will go on the road with much more confidence after finding the ways to win at home in close games.
“Anytime you can win games, it helps your team in their belief of themselves,” said Brady. “I think our team has confidence right now, but we are aware that if we don’t do certain things, it can change. We have to continue to take care of what has got us there. Our team is more confident because of what they’ve done, but it means nothing if we don’t go on the road and play well Wednesday.”
The LSU offense has been anchored lately by the play of sophomore forward Brandon Bass, who earned SEC Player of the Week honors after double doubles against both Ole Miss and Mississippi State. Bass had 26 points in the State win and blocked five shots in each of the games.
After the Georgia game, the Tigers will return home to Baton Rouge briefly before heading back on the road for a Saturday 6 p.m. CST game in Knoxville against the University of Tennessee. That game will be televised regionally by FSN. LSU’s next home game is Feb. 9 against Auburn.